Satellite Automatic Gain Control for Uplink Path Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-geosynchronous satellite systems, such as those in low-earth orbits, face challenges with user terminals experiencing reduced uplink path gain as they move across or between beams, due to varying signal strengths and limited bandwidth, leading to inefficient communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a satellite system with multiple return paths that process communication signals on channels with variable gain amplifiers and automatic gain controllers, which dynamically adjust amplifier gains based on combined power levels of received signals to maintain optimal signal strength across time-frequency sub-channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If user terminals transmit signals in non-geosynchronous satellite systems, then communication coverage is improved, but uplink path gain is reduced as terminals move across beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment in the satellite's return path by continuously monitoring the combined power level of received signals and adjusting the amplifier gain accordingly. This dynamic adaptation compensates for the varying uplink path gain as user terminals move across different beam regions, maintaining reliable communication in non-geosynchronous satellite systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the satellite receives signals from user terminals, determines the combined power level, and uses this information to adjust the amplifier gain in the return path. This closed-loop feedback ensures that signal quality is maintained despite terminal movement across beams, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and communication reliability.
2Reliability
If amplifier gain is increased to maintain signal strength, then communication reliability is improved, but signal distortion and noise amplification worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a fixed high gain setting, the patent implements dynamic gain control that adjusts the amplifier gain in real-time based on the actual combined power level of received signals. This dynamic approach maintains communication reliability by applying only the necessary gain, avoiding the signal distortion and noise amplification that would result from consistently high gain settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the amplifier gain parameter dynamically based on the determined combined power level of received signals. By adjusting this parameter in response to actual signal conditions, the system maintains reliable communication while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive gain, such as signal distortion and noise amplification.
3Quantity of substance
If satellite processes signals from multiple user terminals on narrow bandwidth channels, then communication capacity is improved, but signal separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple user terminals in the satellite's return path and processes them together through a single amplifier with dynamically adjusted gain. This merging approach allows the satellite to handle signals from multiple terminals on narrow bandwidth channels without requiring complex individual signal separation, thus improving communication capacity while managing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite's return path is designed with a universal amplifier that can process signals from multiple user terminals simultaneously by adjusting its gain based on the combined power level. This multi-functional approach enables the system to accommodate multiple terminals on narrow bandwidth channels without requiring dedicated processing for each terminal, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for addressing reductions in the uplink path gain associated with user terminals are disclosed. A return path of the satellite may receive a number of data signals on a single frequency channel, wherein each of the number of data signals occupies a unique time-frequency sub-channel of the single frequency channel, originates from a corresponding one of a number of user terminals (UTs), and includes a plurality of time slots dynamically allocated to a group of user equipment (UE) devices associated with the corresponding UT. The return path may determine a combined power level of all the number of received data signals that occupy all the time-frequency sub-channels of the single frequency channel, and then adjust an amplifier gain applied to the number of received data signals in the return path based, at least in part, on the combined power level.